Even though we don’t need a special day here at SF&WB to celebrate the wonderful deliciousness of doughnuts, we’re happy to recognize National Doughnut Day all the same. The special day, which takes place on the first Friday every June, traces its roots back to the days after World War I when The Salvation Army in Chicago staged a fundraiser to honor those who served in the war, and the women who served doughnuts and coffee to troops during the war in France.
Doughnuts at retail in the U.S. are a nearly $2.0 billion business, per IRI, Chicago. And companies over on the foodservice side of the fence add significantly more to that haul. Dunkin’ alone brought in $1.3 billion for 2018. Doughnuts are big business, and that’s not going to change anytime soon.